Richard F. Harless

Richard F. Harless
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's at-large district
In office January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1949
Preceded by	2nd Seat created
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Personal details
Born	August 6, 1905 Kelsey, Texas, USA
Died	November 24, 1970 (aged 65) Phoenix, Arizona
Political party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	University of Arizona

Richard Fielding Harless (August 6, 1905 - November 24, 1970) was a U.S. Representative from Arizona.

Born in Kelsey, Texas, Harless moved to Thatcher, Arizona, in 1917 and attended the grade and high schools. He graduated from University of Arizona in 1928. He taught school at Marana, Arizona from 1928 to 1930. He graduated from the law school of the University of Arizona in 1933. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Phoenix, Arizona. In Phoenix, Harless served as Assistant City Attorney and in 1936 was elected Assistant Attorney General of Arizona. From 1938-1942, Harless served as Maricopa County Attorney. He was married to Meredith Howard Harless a writer and radio personality. They wed November 28, 1948, in Alexandria, Virginia.^[1]

Harless was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-eighth, Seventy-ninth, and Eightieth Congresses (January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1949). He was one of the main sponsors of the Indian Voting Rights Act of 1947.^[2]

Harless did not seek renomination in 1948 but was unsuccessful for the gubernatorial nomination. He was an unsuccessful for the Democratic nomination in 1954 for the Eighty-fourth Congress. He served as Democratic nominee in 1960 for the Eighty-seventh Congress. He resumed the practice of law. He died in Phoenix, Arizona, November 24, 1970. He was interred in Greenwood Memorial Park.

References

1. Kearney, Martha (December 5, 1948). "Honeymoon After Much Delayed Wedding Faces Postponement for Ex-Solon, Wife". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Texas, Lubbock. International News Service. p. 53.
2. bio from papers collection at Arizona State University

• United States Congress. "Richard F. Harless (id: H000212)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.